Chris Ivory powers Jets' rushing attack

Jets running back Chris Ivory runs for yards after a catch in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. Photo Credit: Steven Ryan

"I knew he was a good player. I didn't know he was as fast as he was," Jets first-year coach Todd Bowles said. "He's got very good feet. Chris has got very good quickness. You don't have to be that fast to have foot quickness, and he's got foot quickness."

Case in point: Ivory's 33-yard run against the Falcons in Week 2 of the preseason. Eight days later, he rushed for 38 yards on six carries against the Giants in the Snoopy Bowl.

True to form, Ivory didn't have much to say when Bowles told him he is better than advertised. "Chris was quiet," the coach said. "He's just going to smile and nod his head and move on."

With running backs Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy in the mix, and Eric Decker and Marshall expecting to get their fair share of catches this year, there's a chance Ivory again will fall short of the 1,000-yard rushing mark. He compiled 833 yards in 2013 and 821 in 2014.

"Him and Bilal, those are two quality running backs," Bowles said. "Those guys work hard. They keep their mouth shut, they keep their heads down, they block, they run inside, they run outside. I'm very pleased with both of them."

So is their quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, also in his first year with the Jets. "They're going to be huge for us," he said.

Jets videos

Meanwhile, Stacy has something to prove. The former Ram, who rushed for 973 yards as a rookie in 2013, requested a trade after St. Louis drafted Todd Gurley 10th overall. Now he's trying to make a case to stick with the Jets.

"I just thought the best option for me, for my career, was to move on," said Stacy, who had a leaping touchdown in the Jets' preseason win over the Giants. "My mentality each and every week is to go out and make plays. Do your assignment to the best of your ability and everything else will take care of itself."

The Jets' running game could get a midseason boost with the return of Stevan Ridley. The former Patriot will start the season on the PUP list, but he'll be a fresh set of legs after the first six weeks.

"There's no need to rush him back," Bowles said of the running back, who played in only six games last season before tearing an ACL. "We have some quality running backs right now and they're all playing good, so Ridley can take his time and get healthy."

Subscribe to Newsday’s sports newsletter

Receive stories, photos and videos about your favorite New York teams plus national sports news and events.